Puca - the Belmont Stakes winner

Puca, the remarkable broodmare, etched her name in history alongside breeder Robert Clay's Grandview Equine when Dornoch triumphed in the Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, holding off Mindframe for a monumental win. Dornoch, sired by Good Magic out of Puca (by Big Brown), shares the same bloodline as Mage, the Kentucky Derby (G1) winner from the previous year, both bred by Grandview Equine.

Robert Clay, the visionary behind Three Chimneys Farm and the founder of Grandview Equine, established Grandview in 2018 in collaboration with partners. They invested in shares of Good Magic at Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa, leading to the acquisition of three mares to support these shares. Among these mares was Puca, a stakes-winning daughter of Big Brown, acquired for $475,000 at The November Sale in 2018.

Puca was bred to Good Magic in 2019 and 2020, resulting in the remarkable feat of producing both a Derby and a Belmont winner. For Clay, a seasoned figure in racing and breeding, this achievement stands among his most significant accomplishments, alongside milestones like the arrival of Seattle Slew at Three Chimneys.

Puca joins an elite group of mares, becoming only the ninth to produce two U.S. classic winners and the first since Better Than Honour achieved this with Jazil and Rags to Riches. Reflecting on Puca's offspring, Clay noted the diversity among them, with Mage and Dornoch displaying contrasting characteristics. Despite their differences, both have excelled on the track, with a McKinzie colt showing promise as well.

Dornoch's victory also marks the second U.S. classic win for Good Magic, reinforcing his standing as a top stallion standing at Hill 'n' Dale Farms. While Puca has moved on from the track, her legacy continues to thrive through her exceptional progeny, including Dornoch and Mage, representing the culmination of Clay's strategic breeding endeavours.

Puca's journey extends beyond her classic-winning colts, having produced stakes-placed offspring like Gunning and a promising McKinzie colt. As she embarks on a new chapter, Puca's influence remains profound, shaping the landscape of Thoroughbred racing for generations to come.